Talensi Assembly explains GH¢181,170 cash payments for meeting refreshments

The Assembly says local suppliers rejected cheque payments because of processing delays, while auditors also flagged GH¢251,778.81 in expenditure lacking supporting documents.

The Talensi District Assembly has explained that cash payments totalling GH¢181,170, questioned by the Auditor-General in its 2024 audit report, were used to pay for refreshments and other food-related expenses for meetings and official activities.

An official representing the Assembly gave the explanation on Thursday, October 29, 2026, when the matter was discussed before Parliament’s Select Committee on Local Government and Rural Development.

According to the official, the Assembly resorted to cash transactions because some local suppliers were unwilling to accept cheques due to delays in processing payments.

The representative said the amount covered expenses incurred throughout 2024, particularly purchases of refreshments and other items required for meetings. The explanation was provided in response to the auditors’ concerns about the Assembly’s reliance on cash payments.

Suppliers’ refusal to accept cheques

The Assembly’s explanation centred on the difficulties it said it faced in paying local suppliers through the banking system.

The official indicated that delays in processing cheques had affected transactions with suppliers in the district, prompting the Assembly to make payments in cash to meet its operational needs.

The disclosure brought attention to the payment methods used by local government authorities and the importance of maintaining appropriate financial controls when public funds are spent.

The Assembly’s explanation, however, did not remove the need to address the audit concerns surrounding its transactions.

GH¢251,778.81 expenditure also flagged

Separately, the Auditor-General identified GH¢251,778.81 in expenditure from the District Assemblies Common Fund and other statutory funds allocated to the Talensi Assembly in 2024 for which the required supporting documents were unavailable.

The auditors recommended that the officials responsible for the expenditure refund the amount, according to reports on the parliamentary hearing.

The amount relates to a separate audit finding and should not be confused with the GH¢181,170 in cash payments for refreshments and other food expenses.

The lack of supporting documentation raises questions about the Assembly’s ability to adequately account for the use of public funds and demonstrate that expenditure complied with the applicable financial requirements.

Accountability in local government spending

The parliamentary committee’s examination of the findings forms part of broader scrutiny of the financial management of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.

The Talensi case highlights the need for public institutions to maintain clear records, use transparent payment procedures and provide adequate documentation to support expenditure.

While the Assembly has attributed its cash payments to difficulties with cheque processing, the audit findings underline the importance of ensuring that operational challenges do not undermine accountability in the management of public resources.